Blue Grass Stakes Picks, Predictions, Odds

The 148th Kentucky Derby is scheduled to take place on Saturday May 7, 2022 from Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby prep schedule continues to heat up during the months of March and April.

VegasInsider horse racing expert Anthony Stabile will be providing his Free Picks and Finish Predictions for key races throughout the prep season and he's focusing on one race for Saturday April 2, 2022 -- the 2022 Blue Grass Stakes.

Blue Grass Stakes Resources

• Date: Saturday, April 9, 2022
• Post-Time: 5:10 p.m. ET
• Race: 9
• Distance-Length: Dirt, 1 1/8 Miles
• Qualification: Three-year-olds
• Track: Kenneland Racecourse
• Location: Lexington, Kentucky

Betting On The Blue Grass Stakes

Best Horse Racing Betting Sites:

TVG | AmWager | TwinSpires | Daily Racing Form | Horse Racing Betting Hub

Blue Grass Stakes Betting Analysis

1) COMMANDPERFORMANCE

Maiden fired a bit of a dud when sent off at 1-20 against fellow non-winners in his first start of the year at Tampa Bay Downs, settling for second money behind the guy who draws to his immediate outside here. His sharp barn shows confidence in sending him here and the inside draw should enable him to sit a good trip just off what figures to be a moderate early pace. His juvenile efforts were too good to overlook him here.

2) FENWICK

Responded to the barn change with a sharp front running score of a strong speed favoring track in Florida last time out and now he’ll start for another new outfit. There’s not a whole bunch of early zip so maybe he’s against aggressively handled from an inside draw, but don’t think he’ll be able to last this time.

3) TRADEMARK

Wasn’t beaten much in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby behind a winner who returned to flop in last weekend’s G1 Florida Derby. Maybe his speed helps him secure a prominent spot early but have to side against him as a serious player today.

4) ZANDON

His gutsy placing in Aqueduct’s G2 Remsen at this distance while making just his second career start late last fall pointed him out as one to watch this year and he returned to the races with a sharp third place finish in New Orleans behind a winner who returned to take the G2 Louisiana Derby a couple of weeks ago. Sharp barn reaches out for a top West Coast pilot today. Expect that he’ll have a big move forward in him and that makes him the one to down.

5) VOLCANIC

Couldn’t get to the front running winner in the Tampa Bay Derby but he did show some decent late foot in his first two turn try. Added ground can help and he may be set for an improved try after being given a little extra recovery time. Price should be very right to use him in exotics.

6) EMMANUEL

Flattened out after rallying in a wide spot in the G2 Fountain of Youth early last month following two open lengths wins over cheaper. He’ll catch a field with little early foot today and that means an aggressive ride from a solid front end pilot could put him in a great spot from the outset today.

7) GOLDEN GLIDER

He’s only run four times and hasn’t really run poorly in any of them but he just hasn’t run very fast yet. Will need to find more to prove a threat for any of the money spots.

8) ETHEREAL ROAD

He’s been working well since given time off a near miss in the G2 Rebel at Oaklawn Park. Colt is on the improve and certainly gives the indication that the more ground he gets the better he will be so today’s added half panel can help.

9) RATTLE N ROLL

Cuts back a half furlong after earning a career best speed figure from well out of it early. Don’t know that the shorter trip will help and the pace doesn’t figure to do him any favors, though the new blinkers could help him get more involved from the bell.

10) SMILE HAPPY

Looked quite good dusting future graded stakes winners last fall in Kentucky and his return to the races in Louisiana in the G2 Risen Star was pretty solid. Expect he’ll be much tighter with that one out of the way and he’s proven at this configuration. He’ll need some help in front of him, but a move forward makes him the danger.

11) BLACKADDER

West coast invader leaves the Bob Baffert barn for a chance to earn Kentucky Derby points while in search of his third start score. He’s on the improve from a figure standpoint but he draws a tough post and will have his work cut out for him while looking to rally from well out of it early.

12) GRANTHAM

Got the worst of the draw but does have some early zip and maybe his new pilot looks to put it to use from the opening bell. His local breeze wasn’t bad and he should be part of the pace at a big price, but it’s a tough task ahead of him.

IF I’M RIGHT…

4 – ZANDON is able to break alertly and secure a good tracking spot behind the front runners and takes the lead turning for home with 10 – SMILE HAPPY chasing him through the lane but settling for second money. 1 – COMMANDPERFORMANCE is able to get back to his juvenile efforts and quarrels for the show spot with late running 5 – VOLCANIC.

HOW I WOULD INVEST $100…

• $30 WIN 4
• $20 EXACTA BOX 4 - 10
• $5 EXACTA BOX 1 - 4- 10